Washington wants North Korea to be nuclear-free

China is considering restarting six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear weapons programs on September 2

The nuclear talks, conducted by the two Koreas, China, Japan, the United States and Russia, have been in recess for several weeks and were expected to resume next week, but no date had yet been specified.

The discussions centered on the north's nuclear weapons program, the timing and agenda of the next round of meetings, and relations between North Korea and Japan. The North insists it should still have the right to "peaceful" nuclear activities if it gives up its weapons, but Washington wants the communist nation to be nuclear-free, AP reports.